Friday, May 21, 2010

Gulmarg : The meadow of flowers

This tiny calm little mountain resort is like a picture where silence is broken only with tinkling of cow bells. Gulmarg boasts of the highest 18 - hole golf course in the world.

Originally called as Gauri Marg, after the wife of Shiva, it was renamed by Sultan Yusuf Shah as Gul Marg, which literally means the meadow of flowers. And actually Gulmarg has vast meadows of flowers. It is said that Jehangir also loved this place and collected 21 various species of each flower. It looks like a huge cup shaped meadow lush and green offering a splendid view of the entire Kashmir valley.

Gulmarg is on the higher elevation than that of Srinagar; hence the roads are often blocked by snow. On the other hand during summers, the roads leading to this place are a delight. At every turn, as if nature raises one more curtain to bring another surprise better than the earlier beauty! Lush green meadows, with grazing cows, and flowers wearing a riot of colours are seen everywhere. The view is so pretty that one often wonders if it were pasted right out from a picture postcard. The highlight of this place is the pony trail to Khilanmarg. The Khilanmarg valley is a blaze of colour and fragrance in the spring with stunning views from the mountain tops.

The recently opened Gondola lift from the mountain top of Gulmarg offers an enthralling experience when it gives a breathtaking view of the usually snow-clad pine slopes and beautiful flowers.

Winters in Gulmarg are equally exciting when the snow fall begins and the landscape changes its colour to pure white. This is the season for winter sports and Gulmarg changes from the flower valley to a wonderful skiing resort. With nice slopes, perfect and enough for skiing, Gulmarg over the years has become a popular destination for winter sports in India.

Location: Around 56 kms from the capital of city of Srinagar, Gulmarg is at an altitude of 2,730 meters above the sea level.

Languages Spoken: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English
Long Distance Code: +91-1953
Importance: Meadow of flowers
Area: 3.5 kmlong;1kmwideAltitude2,650m
Best Time To Visit: March To July & October to February to enjoy the snow


ZAHGEER CONTINENTAL

Total Rooms : 28
Star Category : 4
Hotel Zahgeer Continental is Brand New Property Open on First August 2007, this hotel is one of the best hotel of Gulmarg. It have 28 double deluxe room with well furnished, and all modern facilities, all room have view of Gulmarg. This hotel is fully centrally hated, and this is chain of Zahgeer Group of HotelsLocated in idyllic surroundings in the “Meadow of Flowers” – Gulmarg, Zahgeer Continental is a cozy hotel that offers you the best views of Gulmarg. Five minutes drive from where the Gulmarg Gondola begins, enroute to Khilanmarg, Zahgeer Continental, offers scintillating views of the Affarvat range of mountains. At an hours drive from Srinagar Airport , lies the mesmerizing meadow of flowers- Gulmarg. A popular tourist destination for decades, Gulmarg boasts of the world's highest 18 hole Golf Course and is famous for winter sports. According to Sylvain Saudan, world's best known adventure skier and an honorary citizen of Kashmir , Kashmir offers a skiing area as wide as the Northern and Southern Alps brought together

THE PINE PALACE RESORT

Total Rooms : 31
Star Category : 2
The flagship property The Pine Palace Heritage amidst lush green Gulmarg started its business in the year 1986.The picturesque location, personalized service and comfort sets us apart form the other hotels. The Boutique hotel, with the completion of The Pine Palace Platinum in 2005 ,has redefined its credo to now being a resort. The Pine Palace Resort has been designed keeping in mind the utmost comfort of our discerning guest and the fragile ecosystem of Gulmarg, furthermore ,we adopt Eco-friendly options to ensure a cleaner and greener Gulmarg for our future generations. The Pine Palace Resort is a concern of MCO Group a pioneer in Infrastructure, Hydel Power and Financial Services. We are constantly upgrading our services to live up to our Company’s goal of placing Kashmir on the global tourism map.

HILLTOP

Total Rooms : 35
Star Category : 3
A Business And Leisure Hotel, with a City Center location, has in total of 35 rooms available. Rooms types available are Suites Non A/C, Cottage.

HIGHLANDS PARK

Total Rooms : 39
Star Category : 3
Hotel Highland Park is a heritage Hotel located overlooking the Golf Course and the entire Gulmarg (Kashmir, India) and is one of the best hotels in Gulmarg with maximum facilities. Hotel Highland Park is surrounded by spectacular Snow Clad Himalayas and its heritage interiors that makes it a highly recommended option at Gulmarg.

1 comment:

Hotel Manila said...

It is said that Jehangir also loved this place and collected 21 various species of each flower.